After leaving the Ninja Academy, Genya did not hurry home. He walked through the streets of Konoha.
As he passed Ichiraku Ramen, Teuchi was hanging the entrance curtain. He paused when he saw Genya.
"Genya? It's been a while."
Genya nodded.
"It has, old man. One bowl of Miso Chashu, with extra scallions."
Teuchi acknowledged the order.
When the noodles arrived, Genya looked down at the steaming bowl and thought back to many years ago.
Back then, he had no wife, no children, and no attachments.
Now he had so much he could not let go of, and he thought that was better.
After finishing his noodles, Genya took another stroll around the village.
As he passed the Hokage Building, Shisui happened to lean out of a window. Seeing him, he called out.
"Genya! Want to come up for a bit?"
Genya looked up, waved him off, and kept walking.
Shisui shook his head and ducked back inside.
As Genya passed the Uchiha Clan Compound, several clan members greeted him.
Genya answered each of them without stopping.
As he passed the training ground, Hashirama was sparring with several young people. He waved to Genya from a distance.
Genya waved back and kept walking.
At home.
Hinata was hanging a quilt out to air in the yard.
Genya stood beside her and helped straighten its corners.
They stood side by side in the yard, sunlight spilling over them as the quilt fluttered in the breeze.
Kaguya sat beneath the eaves, watching the two of them in the yard.
That afternoon, Genya went to pick Tsuki up from school.
He waited at the gate alongside several other parents. Some recognized him and whispered among themselves, but none dared approach him.
Genya did not mind. He leaned against a tree with his hands